Restaurant Oberholz

Location Obereggen, South Tyrol, Italy Architect Peter Pichler & Pavol Mikolajcak Completion 2016

Restaurant Oberholz is designed as a modern interpretation of the classic South Tyrolean mountain hut. The interior focuses on a redesigned conventional "Stube" (parlor), which transitions into three individual guest rooms – or "pockets." This flowing organic form and the masterful carpentry throughout the space create an intimate atmosphere where hikers and guests can feel enveloped in a calm, protective embrace. Each of the three side arms has a huge glass wall that offers views of the mountains. My goal in photographing the Oberholz hut was to showcase the expert craftsmanship of the woodwork and take the viewer on a journey of the senses. I hope that viewers of this series can immerse themselves in the scenery and feel as if they have settled into one of the chairs to sip a cup of warm cocoa while gazing at the panorama of the Dolomites.

Detail photo of window, Oberholz mountain hut, Italy

Showcasing Craftsmanship

My primary task was to create a photo series that highlights the incredible craftsmanship of the Oberholzer Almhütte. The focus of the interior is the woodwork, and my main focus was on the curved spruce beams of the roof structure. Careful compositions show how the beams merge and blend into each other, ending in warm, intimate niches where visitors can relax.

Interior shot of Oberholz mountain hut, ceiling with lamps

Interior photography of the guest area of the Oberholz restaurant, Italy, mountain hut

Interior view of the dining area of the Oberholz restaurant

Intimate Details

To contribute to the atmosphere of intimacy and help viewers immerse themselves in the scenes of Oberholz, I supplemented my broader photographs with a series of closer, more detail-oriented vignettes. Although these are not cover shots, the images show quiet, reflective scenes that help viewers discover the finer details of the project. For example, take a look at how a brief moment of sunlight adds warmth to the table and emphasizes the shape and line of the continuous spruce ribs.

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Close-up of table, mountain hut, Oberholz restaurant

Close-up of set table, Oberholz restaurant, Italy

Close-Up of Ceiling Lights in Berghütte Oberholz, Italy

The Three-Headed Dragon

It is said that Restaurant Oberholz is designed to look like a tree branching out from the landscape. However, when I saw the three strands of the building, it reminded me of the back of a three-headed dragon merging into the vastness of the clouds. To emphasize this idea, I photographed a series of compositions from the roof of the restaurant, allowing the viewer to follow the "back" made of larch shingles until they reveal the view of the sky behind.

Shot of the Roof of Restaurant Oberholz, South Tyrol Dolomites

Close-Up of the Wooden Roof of Restaurant Oberholz, Dolomites

Cropped Image of the Roof of Restaurant Oberholz, Architect Pavol Mikolajcak

Exterior Shots of the Complex Oberholz Restaurant

Unlike some of my other modern alpine architecture projects, Restaurant Obereggen was quite easy to reach. My assistant Marcus and I parked our car at the Oberholz cable car station. However, we decided against taking a gondola ride to the Oberholz hut and opted for a two-hour hike in the heart of the Dolomites. We wanted to capture the feeling that hikers have when they finally reach Restaurant Obereggen after the ascent. As we hiked through a stiff breeze and light drizzle, we finally saw the three cantilevered bodies of the Obereggen hut growing out of the slope that they call home at 2000 m. As I looked at Oberholz, I knew that it would be important to create a mix of photographs that share both the hut's relationship to the vast surroundings and a closer look at the mix of materials and finer details. The result is a strong combination of photographs that beautifully tell the story of Oberholz.

Detailed Photo of the Panoramic Window of Berghütte Oberholz, Italy

Exterior Shot of Restaurant Oberholz, South Tyrol, Architects Peter Pichler and Pavol Mikolajcak

Architectural Photography of Berghütte Oberholz

Photography of the Terrace and Seating Area of Restaurant Oberholz, Italy

Drone Photo of the Roof of Restaurant Oberholz

Drone Shot of Oberholzer Berghütte with Alpine Panorama

Bird's-Eye View of Restaurant Oberholz with Mountain Panorama

Color Control

I had two main goals during the post-processing of this project. The first was to capture the large dynamic range in the photos, as seen here. With a lucky break of sunshine between the clouds, a bright beam of light streams through the windows onto the tables and concrete surfaces. Here, I worked with a series of exposures to ensure that no lights were too bright and no shadows were too dark. The result is a lifelike depiction of Restaurant Oberholz. My second goal was to accurately represent the colors found in the room. As you can see in the original RAW file, the colors are a bit muddy and green. By neutralizing unsightly color casts and making subtle, careful adjustments, the final image has a much more pleasant, warm, and inviting mood.

An Iconic Mountain Hut

Restaurant Oberholz is a prime example of modern alpine architecture. It is an iconic structure made of local, natural materials and a refuge for mountaineers. The design is an updated, new interpretation of a classic alpine hut, built with great attention to detail and expert craftsmanship. While the shooting day held a few surprises, it was still a pleasure to photograph this structure and create a series of photos that tell its story!